Univ. of Kansas professor on leave for racist remarks in class

Five students have filed discrimination complaints with the university against the assistant professor of communication studies, Andrea Quenette, who admitted to using the N-word during a discussion about race. Requesting a leave of absence, the university told her that, pending investigation, she will need to stay off campus during the time of her administrative leave.A professor at the University of Kansas at Lawrence is on leave while the university investigates a complaint accusing her of racially discriminatory behavior in class, the Lawrence Journal-World reports. On November 12, in the classroom, the problem of racism was discussed during the Communications Studies 930 class for graduate students who teach undergraduate courses. On the morning of November 12, 2015, a question was posed … in … class. “In light of last night’s university-wide town hall meeting about race and discrimination on campus, what is the best approach to talk about that event and these issues with our students?” We students in the class began discussing possible ways to bring these issues … when … Dr.

I didn’t direct my words at any individual or group.” The incident follows a rise in discontent from students over issues of discrimination and racism on college campuses that have led to protests across the country. At one point, she said she saw little racism on campus: “As a white woman I just never have seen the racism. … It’s not like I see (n—–) spray painted on walls…,” she said, according to a long online letter complaining about her.

Student protesters and civil rights activists say many universities have not gone far enough to create a campus culture of inclusiveness for people of color. When the discussion directed towards low graduation rates of black pupils, Quenette asserted as the pupils were implying that it was only due to inferior academic performance and not organized racism. Quenette has made it a habit to disparage the reputations of veteran GTAs in the Communication Studies department by naming them and mocking their classroom policies and procedures, and disclosing private information regarding research projects involving other GTAs [graduate teaching assistants],” the open letter reads. “Dr. On Monday, hundreds of students at Brandeis University in Massachusetts occupied an administrative building for a fourth consecutive day, demanding the school’s interim president increase the number of black faculty members and confront issues on race.

Schumacher additionally said she considers that Quenette “actively broken policies,” leaving the one black pupil “devastated.” Jyleesa Hampton, a first year communications graduate student, is among individuals who tweeted utilizing the hashtag #FireAndreaQuenette. “Folks talked about being frightened to return to course, dashed to get her in charge of their classes,” she said. “I do not believe it’ll be a safe environment for me” to instruct in. Like Missouri, the Brandeis students say that 10 percent of the school’s faculty should be black – a number they say would better reflect the diversity of the student population.

Then, students read statements describing how her comments made them feel. “I feel terrible, upset and sad that I had hurt their feelings and made them feel uncomfortable, because I do care about them as people,” Quenette said. The school is investigating the students’ concerns. “It was an open conversation about a serious issue that is affecting our campus, and it will affect our teachers. Quenette was “receptive to hearing any other ideas,” is there a difference between saying “I’ve never seen ‘n-word’ spray-painted on a wall,” and calling a person “n-word’, or referring to someone as such?

He said administrative leaves are often used “to address substantial disruptions to the learning environment or concerns about individuals’ welfare” while investigations are underway.